Bowling Green State University

What you'll study

The degree requires 36 credit hours composed of 15 credits of core coursework, 18 credits of electives and a 3-credit culminating experience. Core and sample courses include Public Administration and Public Policy, Administrative Theory and Behavior, Public Personnel Administration, Government Budgeting and Fiscal Policy, and Research Methods. Electives may be chosen from the department or across the university to align with career goals.

Entry requirements

Academic standards for the MPA include maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA and completing at least 18 credits at the 6000-level. Students must complete a minimum of 24 credits at BGSU. All degree requirements must be satisfied within six years to ensure training remains current. The program welcomes applicants from varied undergraduate backgrounds and offers an accelerated B.A. to MPA path for certain BGSU undergraduates.

Career prospects

Graduates move into leadership and analytical roles across government, nonprofit and private sectors. Typical positions cited by the program include city manager, policy analyst, budget analyst, urban planner, program manager, nonprofit executive director, grant writer, community outreach coordinator, management consultant, corporate social responsibility manager, HR director and operations manager. The curriculum aims to equip students to manage budgets, design policy and lead mission-driven organizations.

Scholarships & funding angle

The program page references tuition and fees and provides links for additional resources; prospective students should consult BGSU’s graduate college and financial aid offices for up-to-date information on scholarships, assistantships and other funding options that can support study while enrolled.